Mondello Park – 4/5th July 2026 Race Report, Video, Images and Results

Posted on: July 12th 2026 • Posted in: Race Results

Eupropean Round 2026 – Mondello Park

Over the first weekend in July, the SRCC had chosen to visit Ireland for the first time for its annual overseas event. A total of 13 competitors made the journey that was made considerably more affordable through the energies of Bailey‘s travel. (Many thanks to proprietor Rollo for his expertise in securing substantial ferry discounts and who was cruelly denied his place on the starting grid courtesy of an engine failure at Oulton Park).

All drivers were enrolled in the test sessions on the Friday as no one but Peter Williams had ever competed at the circuit. It turned out to be slightly less daunting than the YouTube videos had suggested but it was still extremely challenging with a tricky, technical infield – including two separate dual apex hairpins, several blind turn ins and a fast start/finish section.

Somewhat alarmingly, various BOSS series single seaters were also in the Sports 2000 practice sessions but they also seemed mainly to be learning the track and no untoward events were reported. Although a Gould GR55 Hill Climb Car did break the lap record the following day.

Across the weekend the circuit was bathed in glorious sunshine with a moderate breeze except for late Saturday morning when English drivers thought there was a rain shower but were informed by locals that “this isn’t rain“!
Mention should be made of the extremely warm welcome given by local drivers, officials and spectators to the Sports 2000 contingent. We were repeatedly thanked for making the trip and invited back whenever possible.

It’s also worth mentioning that the second race was live streamed and is now available on YouTube. The drone coverage in particular is worth seeing.

Qualifying

The event was making use of the longest configuration of Mondello Park, the 3.5km international circuit. None of the 12 bends on the circuit is alike and each has its own peculiarities on entry, or exit. The kerbs were generally fairly accommodating but were quick to punish drivers who took liberties with them.

From early in the session it became clear that the Johnson brothers were making use of their karting heritage to learn the circuit and explore the best ways of tackling the twists and turns. Richard took Pole with a 1.43.648 seconds lap that was not bettered during the weekend.

BenCater was second on the grid with David Williams in his B class van Diemen an impressive third.
Nik Johnson, one of only two historic competitors, was less than four seconds behind his Duratec powered brother being sixth overall on the grid.

The event saw the very welcome return of Team Law to the paddock in the guise of Ash in his MCR. He had full family backing from Ian and Tracey with the invaluable backup crew of Pete and Clare. (The former very helpfully bailing out the other historic competitor, Mike Fry, by lending him a helmet for the weekend).

The other van Diemen on the grid was being shared by Josh Needham who qualified 9th for race 1 and Peter who was in the same position for race 2.

The midfield was headed by Peter Williams, closely followed by Roger Donnan and Mike Turner. John Owen and Clive Hayes took up the final Duratec places ahead of Mike Fry in the second Historic car.

Race 1

From the moment the lights went out the two leading qualifiers sped off for a race long battle. In the process they thrilled the crowd and impressed the knowledgeable circuit commentator who later commended on the wheel to wheel closeness of the racing. Ultimately Richard Johnson was leading at the chequered flag with a.0.7 second lead over Ben Cater. They had traded fastest laps during the course of the race but eventually it was Ben who had a marginal advantage from Richard with a lap of 1.44.620 (120.5kph).

Had the front two collided then fast running third man, David Houghton, would’ve been able to capitalise. As it was he drove a very solid race to secure third place from Ash Law who was going very well on his return to racing after a half season away.

In class B David Williams in the van Diemen was impressing and running fifth until his gear linkage broke on lap nine. He was the only non-finisher.

Meanwhile in the midfield the historic Lola in the hands of Nik Johnson was maintaining his sixth qualifying position and was giving Peter Williams in front of him a close race. They were both ahead of the following Duratec pack of Roger Donnan, Mike Turner, Josh Needham and John Owen.

Clive Hayes was not enjoying his weekend with a sudden onset ill illness that hampered his driving and meant he didn’t take to the grid in race two.

The other historic competitor, Mike Fry, was suffering with a misfiring engine problem that was proving difficult to identify and remedy.

Race 2

The second race of the weekend was late in the morning of Sunday and again took place in glorious sunshine. Poleman Richard Johnson was beaten off the line by Ben Cater and David Houghton came from the second row to also get past him. However, Cater and Houghton collided on the apex of the first turn and this enabled Richard to take back first position. Ash Law had negotiated the traffic well and this saw him established into fourth position.
Mike Turner had also had a good start and by the end of lap two led the rest of the Duratec pack, only to be overtaken by Peter Williams on lap three.

Peter Needham had planned an epic start and but was still spinning his wheels as the rest of the grid drove past him but he then got his act together and drove well to a creditable tenth place, just behind Mike Turner.

On lap five John Owen ran wide at corner six and this threw him onto the grass and into the barrier. He sustained some body work and wing damage and limped back to the pits to retire.

Meanwhile Nick Johnson in his historic Lola was continuing to make a nuisance of himself to the midfield Duratec competitors and eventually got past Mike Turner on lap six.

The final stage of the race was enlivened for spectators by a very close battle for Derek Bell honours between Peter Williams and Roger Donnan. Lap after lap they circulated within a second of each other with the Welsh driver eventually leading Roger home.

At the pointy end of the race it was a second win for Richard Johnson 5 seconds ahead of David Houghton who was himself 8 seconds ahead of Ben Cater followed by Ash Law and David Williams. David had driven impressively from the back of the grid to win the B class and finish fifth overall.

Mike Fry’s engine woes continued and worsened during the race and he pronounced himself pleased to see the chequered flag after a frustrating and lonely race.

Many thanks to Mike Fry for this report

Driver of the Day

Driver of the Day award went to Nik Johnson who drove faultlessly over the two days and was well in the overall mix with 6^th and 8^th place finishes.